National Specialist Supports

Our Unique Specialist Vision Therapy Team are Expertly Skilled and Trained to:

Provide ongoing specialist, dynamic assessment

Support Community Disability Network Teams  (CDNTs), Primary Care Teams (PCTs) and Visiting Teachers for the Visually Impaired (VTVI)

National Assessment Services at ChildVision

Are open to children with a visual impairment, aged 0-18 years, living in the Republic of Ireland.

To be eligible for assessment, the applicant must have either:

• A visual acuity of 6/18 or less, not corrected by glasses
• A visual field loss
• A neurological condition that impacts visual functioning, e.g., Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI)

OR

• A potential deterioration/ progressive visual condition.

Types of Assessments Available

1. Dynamic Multidisciplinary Team Assessments

The assessment team aims to provide ongoing, specialist, dynamic assessment for those aged 0-18 years with a diagnosis of optical or neurological visual impairments by profiling their individual needs so that they can be better supported at a local level within their community.

2. Adapted Psychology Assessments

The Psychology Service in ChildVision provides cognitive assessments for children who are blind or who have a visual impairment, where vision is their primary difficulty and where specialist equipment and adaptation are needed in order for them to access the testing material.

If the child is actively attending Psychology in the community or in a hospital setting, consultations can be arranged with their local Psychologist to determine if a specialist assessment is needed.

Children who have undergone a cognitive assessment should not be retested for a minimum of two years.

3. Autism Spectrum Disorder or Blindisms; A differential diagnosis assessment

The team, experienced in supporting those with optical or neurological visual impairments, have additional training in completing the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS).

The ADOS, considered the gold standard for assessing Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), will be used as an assessment tool, alongside the Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADIR) and specialist clinical skills to ascertain if there is additional diagnosis of ASD alongside the child’s visual impairment.

4. Functional Vision Assessments

This assessment looks at how the child uses their vision skills and aims to make practical suggestions on how to maximise their visual abilities.

To make a referral

To make a referral, fill in our here. Referral Form

Training Supports

The team at ChildVision have developed essential modules on visual impairment to support those working with children and young people. Training is provided online through ChildVision’s learning platform with follow up tailored Q&A workshops from our team. To enquire for training for your team please contact referrals@childvision.ie